The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 30, 1976, Page Page 13, Image 13
Guthrie's i
is his best
By TOM S1IEALY
Gamecock Staff Writer
When the Beach Boys wait four
years to release an album of new
material the final product is
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the eager, drooling public.
When Arlo Guthrie waits a
couple of years to put out an
album, the LP slips quietly unnoticed
into the music world.
Arlo Guthrie is the first to admit
that he is not one of the most
prolific artists in contemporary
music. "I haven't done a record
recently because I just never got
around to it."
Guthrie was last heard from
musically on a live collaborative
effort with old friend Pete Seeger.
Before that time his only album of
new material was "Arlo Guthrie,"
released in 1974. It was basically
an uneventful album with an excess
of orchestration and choir that
detracted from the album's goodnatured
mood.
THE TWO previous albums,
ObsessionSANDRA'S
FLASHBACK the
airport in "Obsession" would not
have been nearly as effective if it
were not intertwined with her
current actions.
It will be interesting to see De
Palma's next moyie "Carrie,"
(complete and ready for release)
based on the best-seller about a girl
with tele-kinetic powers. Again the
material seems a bit questionable,
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newest albi
yet
"Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys"
and "Hobo's Lullaby" displayed
Guthrie at his best. With a blend of
light, innocent ballads, bouncy
rags and an AM hit ("City of New
Orleans") Guthrie regained snmp
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of the success and popularity that
had slipped away since his,
legendary epic, "Alice's
Restaurant."
NOW IT'S 1976, and Guthrie is
working again. "I have a lot of
energy this year. Some years I
really feel like pushing, and some
years I feel like sitting back and
listening to the leaves rustle," he
said in early Sept. just before the
release of the new album,
"Amigo". "I'm essentially a lazy
person but I think this is one of my
best."
"Amigo" is indeed the best
album Guthrie has recorded. The
sound is fuller and richer than any
of his previous works. "Amigo" is
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album relies on the music, not the
studio.
From Page 11
but if De Palma's -past performance
holds true, it will be
another engrossing film.
An uncomfortable aspect of
"Obsession," however, is the
ending. De Palma had two routes
from which to choose: a happy
ending or a sad ending. Without
giving away which one he settled
for, the unused alternative might
have had more effect. *
ALL ALB
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THE MUSIC is uncluttered and
basic. Only the essential and
necessary instruments were used
in the songs. A few extra touches,
like the accordian and Spanish
fiesta horns in "Manzanillo Bay,"
give the material a Latin flavor.
Guthrie's voice has matured
through the years. "Amigo" best
displays his vocals. His voice is
more refined, better controlled; it
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grate on the listener's nerves. His
best vocals are evident on the
many medium-tempo ballads that
dominate the album.
Whether he sings of a political
hero as in "Victor Jara" or merely
expresses sentiment through songs
like "Darkest Hour" or "My
Love," his voice no longer detracts
from the music.
The orchestration on "Amigo" is
not as obvious as it was on "Arlo"
where the strings blatantly once
stood out, now they successfully
accent the songs. In "Patriot's
Dream," the strings play an integral
part, blending smoothly
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[The Gamecock ne<
guest column
Drawer A or
UMS ON
THE Emotions
FLOWERS
including:
I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love/Me For You
How Can You Stop l.oving Someone
No Plans For Tomorrow/Special Part
i are over. We at S
to someCONSISTEN
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MESSAGE IN THE MUSIC
including:
Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweat, Tender, Love)
Desire Me/Make A Joyful Noise
I Swear, I Love No One But You
Mossttge In Oih Music
t NOT A SALI
OUR JMOVL/
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>" is Arlo Guthrie's best HH|^|
to date. The sound isH^HH
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*s voice has matured *v
the years.
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There is a hint of reggae in
"Walking Song" and Guthrie can
get away with it. Some of his
earlier songs had reggae influences
long before the current
craze brought the Jamaican sound
to the States.
THE ONLY flagrant deviation on
"Amigo" is an Americanized
treatment of the old Jagger &
Richard song "Connection."
Guthrie's intriguing version is
heavy rock 'n roll with slide guitar
and back-up vocals from Linda
Ronstadt. As it's the last song on
the album a question could be
raised: was it stuck at the end
?ds columnists for the i
. Send copy to The Gan
call Karen Whitaker a
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CHiCi
incl
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You Are On My
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because Guthrie was unsure about
whether to include it at all?
YEARS AGO when he surfaced
in the music world Guthrie was
dismissed as Woody Guthrie's
offspring. Arlo developed a cult
following and brief national
prominence with "Alice's
Restaurant," but eventually
receeded into obscurity. Now with
Amigo, Arlo Guthrie has shown
that he is more than the son of a
folk legend.
He is an artist who views life
with a keen sense of awareness and
conveys his discoveries through an
appealing style of music.
"? 1
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